Brain Tumor Family Camp in Wisconsin

By Wade Iwata

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

From July 14th-17th, CBTF sponsored our second annual Brain Tumor Family Camp with Children’s Oncology Services, INC. The camp took place on Lake Geneva in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. We had twenty families in attendance with approximately one hundred and two family members and volunteers. Over the four day camp, families attended a variety of chats and activities culminating in a meaningful closing ceremony. For parents, we had a variety of discussions and panels, including an education panel featuring Gina Baldacci, LCSW and Pat Ebervein, M.Ed from Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. We also had Dr. Fangusaro from Children’s Memorial Hospital and Dr. Jogal from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee join us for a medical discussion. Finally, we had a parent, sibling, and survivor discuss some of the unique struggles and accomplishments they each had on their own journeys.

The siblings and patients had many activities to keep them busy throughout the week as well. There were arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, a high ropes course, wheelchair games, and finally, a flour war, where fifty pounds of flour met fifty kids! As a whole, the camp was a great success. All of the families made connections, formed friendships, and left feeling less alone, a sentiment I heard many times on the final day.

CBTF and I would like to thank the outstanding staff and volunteers at COSI for organizing, planning, and participating in an amazing camp week. It was an honor and pleasure to spend those four days with all of you and the amazing families who attended camp.